Ford recently provided a preview of its forthcoming affordable electric pickup truck during a visit to its Electric Vehicle Development Center in California. The truck will maintain a traditional pickup design, with further details revealed about its UEV platform and potential future models.

Sneak Peek at the New EV

During a visit to the Ford Electric Vehicle Development Center in Long Beach, California, journalists received a brief preview of the new electric vehicle. While details were limited, the key takeaway was that the truck will retain a conventional pickup truck appearance.

Universal Electric Vehicle (UEV) Platform

Ford disclosed additional details last week regarding the $30,000 electric mid-size pickup truck, slated for release next year. The company’s new Electric Vehicle Development Center, which opened in August and spans 250,000 square feet, consolidates all EV development efforts.

Platform Components

The Universal Electric Vehicle (UEV) platform, unveiled in February, utilizes large castings for the front and rear sections. These castings, combined with the suspension, create a rolling chassis onto which the body is then attached.

Design and Features

Although a fully finished EV pickup wasn’t on display, journalists observed a camouflaged prototype. The truck’s design aligns with traditional truck aesthetics. Ford also distributed a small, 1:32-scale model of the UEV pickup.

Traditional Truck Shape

The truck maintains a traditional shape, featuring a vertical cab and horizontal bed sides. This design choice addresses concerns about potentially adopting features like sail panels seen on some competitors. The bedsides appear higher than those of the current Ford Maverick.

Size and Styling

The overall size of the truck is comparable to the Maverick, but slightly larger, with a longer cab and wider doors. The nose may be beveled, similar to the Kia EV4 sedan, based on observations of the inner wheel-well casting.

Future Models and Repairability

The new electric pickup will be the first of several low-priced EVs built on the UEV platform, capable of accommodating vehicles ranging from subcompacts to commercial vans. Ford is exploring the range of vehicle sizes possible on the UEV platform.

Expanding the Lineup

A small, Escape-like SUV is expected to follow, and five car shapes under covers were observed during the design studio tour, potentially including SUV variants, sedans, or hatchbacks. A three-row SUV frame was also visible.

Addressing Repair Concerns

Vlad Bogachuk, chief engineer of advanced vehicle structure architecture, addressed concerns about the repairability of large castings, acknowledging the potential for damage in low-speed collisions. Ford is actively working to mitigate these issues.